A Missing in Action Word for Christians: Increasing Kindness

by David Chadwick

I want to urge all of us toward kindness during these times. Remember it. Reclaim it. And then today’s tip: increase it!

If you want to increase the weight you are lifting at the gym, what do you have to do? You have to add a little more each day. Over time, you will be able to lift heavier and heavier weights. The same holds true with kindness. Practice increasing in kindness a little each day and watch what happens.

Begin by thinking about the ways that people have been kind to you. As you do, kindness will grow in your heart! Then think about the unmerited favor that someone has given you. In doing this, you will desire to give unmerited favor to others.

How about an undeserved gift? Have you ever been given one? I remember when I was in seminary and I found out that someone had anonymously paid for my last year of education. To this day, I have no idea who it was! But it was a surprise display of kindness that allowed me to enter my first church completely debt free so I could fully focus on ministry. There is truly nothing like an anonymous financial gift to display kindness to someone else.

List as many illustrations as you can from your personal life of times when kindness was shown to you. After you make your list, you must first remember to thank God first. After all, he was behind all of these displays of kindness.

Once you have your list, I want you to think about a few ways to show this same kindness to someone else this week! Financially. Verbally. With a simple smile. A gift. Your presence.

Let your increasing kindness multiply and, as you move into next week, try to think of more ways to give it away. Over time, your kindness muscles will grow stronger and stronger!

Remember, if you follow Jesus, kindness is not optional. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

This is the gospel in action.